John Britten Book

[k14]

Just got it yesterday and i can't put it down. Really good book, but why does it have to be so long :(

Already 1/3 through it. Hopefully finish it in the next few days.

Anyone else read it?? Highly reccomended!!!

[Slim]

I was considering giving it as a Xmas gift to a dyslexic English friend, but I was put off by how big it was & how small the print was.

If it's a good yarn, then I'll go ahead and get it.

[cranker]

Haven't got the book yet, but I guess the book is so long because it's as much about john's life as it is about his bikes, ay least that was the impression i got from what Kirsteen when they intervieed her a few weeks ago on CTV

[curious george]

Just started reading, first three chapters a bit slow, but skimming through the britten days, it looks to be a very promising book.
Lent to me by someone else who liked it.
Just getting to the exciting bit about now, I'll post back and tell how it goes.....

[k14]

Yeah, ive read about 3/4 of it. Really interesting. Just about 150 or so pages to go.

Did you see that the brittens are going into mass production soon?? Sweet aye:2thumbsup

[Dave]

I'll buy it this week

[curious george]

Finished it. Great storey, they came soooo close so often, it makes you want to cry!:argh:
John Britten sounded like a terrific designer/visionary, but jeez, that boy needed a manager! They repeated so many of the same mistakes I felt like strangling him at one point!
I guess that is the double edged sword that is part genius, part organisational mess.
Its amazing to think what could have been, but still it was amazing what they actually did.
He must have had some very, very clever cleaver people (who didn't mind not getting paid) working for him.
Simply amazing story, and a damn sham he had to go so young.
Really great reading for people with bike racing interests, or those who like self made success stories.
Just wish I cu'dda been there at the time.
And what I would'nt give for a ride on a Britten bike!!!!

[Coldkiwi]

Originally posted by curious george
And what I would'nt give for a ride on a Britten bike!!!!

from what aff-man tells me that may be a possibility. Anyhone else hear the rumour that some german dude has plans to build 500 Britten V-Twin replicas?

[Sharkey]

Boy I gotta say that riles me up. Some GERMAN dude building Brittens!! Why isn't it going to be a New Zealander? We definately have the capability, but perhaps not the passion.

[Slim]

We are talking about the big white Britten book, aren't we? Not the hardcover Blue one which has also been released???

[k14]

Yeah, the big one that is around 500 pages long.

Yeah, i saw on the news the other night about some german company going into production. They will have to make quite alot of changes though.

I dont even know if it will be a 1000cc cause with the current bike, the compression is too high for a starter motor, so they might have to totally change the engine. Probably have to move the radiator aswell. Dont think the underseat radiator will work for road speeds.

Anyone know any info about who is doing it??

[Fluffy Cat]

let me guess these replicas wont be going cheap so with the bikes reputation they might sell a few they had no probs selling the ones they made and the engine was very sorted on the later models as they had a couple of proper engineers working there way through the bike so the later models approached reliability.they should have been building those bikes 5 years ago in nz it could have started quite an industry here but thats a lost chance now.if there going to make them in germany it must mean they have sold them licence or rights poss the name.they must be desperate for some cash.baah what a shame.....

[marty]

i watched one of the brittens being started once - what a beast! it was an experience to stand next to it while it was running - to ride one must be unbelieveable, especially at speed.

[Kickaha]

Seen them race many a time,they had a customer Britten out at Ruapuna last year at the Bears winter series and gave it a run in the lunch break.

I can even remember the seriously ugly original Ducati engined bikes they used to bring out,might have to get a copy of that book and have a look!

[LB]

If you are from Wellington on Monday 24th November, Capital Books at 23 Waring Taylor Street will be promoting the "Dare to Dream" book. They will have a Britten in store (I understand it's #1, the Cardinal Britten), plus John's widow Kirsteen, and Andrew Stroud (who rode the bike on numerous occasions) will be there to promote the book. It's the second book, the hard cover "coffee table" type and is more about John himself, though obviously the bike features in it.

The first book is the thick soft cover book by Tim Hanna, and is more about the bike than the man himself.

Lynda

[k14]

Damn, wish i was in wellington.

Just finished the big one by tim hanna last night. What a massive book, would have to be the longest book i have read. But definately the most interesting and informative.

Think i might have to have a look at the other book. Might be alright aswell.

[Slim]

Originally posted by Lynda Blair
The first book is the thick soft cover book by Tim Hanna, and is more about the bike than the man himself.
Have you read it???? :confused:

I finally made myself stop reading at page 92 to Xmas wrap & post it to a friend in England, :o and it's definitely about John and the people he met and the things he did that headed him in the direction of making the Brittens. Hell, I never knew he raced himself, and until he became a married man (and I now understand why Kirsteen removed her support from this book!) he was some party animal!

I can confirm that it's an extremely readable biography and I think I'll have to fork out some more money to get my own copy. :)

[k14]

Yeah, one of the lines in that book made me laugh. It said something along the lines of "When john refused a joint i knew something was wrong" refering to a few months before john died and was starting to show signs of the cancer.

It was strange that it didnt say anything about his family and only briefly mentioned his wife. The only way i know he has 3 kids is that it said he was survived by his wife kirsteen, and his 3 kids. Was a bit strange.

Did you read about the bit where he crashed at ruapuna and his left foot was stuck under his bike sliding along the track and ground off his little toe :gob:

[Slim]

I don't recall that bit - can't have got far enough. Seems he only had two speeds when racing that Triumph: Stop & Flat Out! And there were a lot of comments about accidents on & off the road that he pretty much walked away from when he should have been more seriously injured! :shit:

Only one bit made you laugh??? I was chuckling to myself pretty much constantly. :p

[merv]

I've had both books since the beginning of the month and haven't had time to read either. Sounds like I'll enjoy them when I do.